Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-02-25

what Modified, for really when came to
consider the matter it was scarcely wonder
full that he should doubt my good faith.
"But l have not told you about your brother.
knew the man Jim who was with him. He
was a Bechuana by birth, good hunter,
and for a native very clever man. The
morning Mr.. Neville was starting l saw Jim
standing by my wagon and cutting up tobac-
co on the disselboon.
"tJim,' said /. where are you off to this
trip? Is 1t Elephants
"'No, Bass he answered, we are after
something worth more than IVORY
".And what might that be% L said, for
was curious. is it gold%
NO. Baas, something worth more than
gold and he grinned.
81 did not ask any more questions, for l
did not like to lower my dignity by seeming
curious, but was puzzled. Presently Jim
finished cutting his tobacco.
'Baas,' said he.
81 took no notice.
".Baas,' said he again.
"'Eh, boy, what is i'll said 1.
.'Baas, we are going after diamonds
Diamonds! why, then, you are going in
the wrong direction; you should head for
the Fields
Dddoi bdFc fou CNCi hCaid VI oAiAAistta
Berg% (Solomon's Mountains).
AYR
"'HaYe you ever heard of the diamonds
there%
81 have heard foolish story, JIM
at is no story, Baas. L once knew wo-
man who came from there, and got to Natal
with her child she told me-She is dead
now
"'Your master will feed the aasvogels
(vultures), Jim, IL he tries to reach Suli-
mans country, and so you will II they can
get any picking off your worthless old car
cass,' said /.
He grinned: 'Mayhap, Baas. Man must
die; I'd rather like to try new country
myself; the elephants are getting worked
out about here
"'AhI my boy said, you wait till the
"pale old man" (death) gets grip of your
yellow throat, and then Wen hear what sort
of tune you sing
Half an hour after that | saw Neville's
wagon move off. Presently Jim came run
ming back. Goodbye, Baas,' lie said, Il
didn't like to start without bidding you
goodbye, for dare say you are right, and
we shall never come back again
ais your master really going to Sulman's
Berg, Jim, or are you lying|
NO says he; he is going. He told me
he was bound to make his fortune some
how, or try to; SO he might as well try the
diamonds
"'OhP said /; wait bit jim; will you
take note to your master, Jim, and prom
Use not to give it to him till you reach Inya-
ii" (Which was some hundred miles Off.
Yes said he.
so took scrap of paper, and wrote on
it, Let him who comes climb the snow of
Sheba's left breast. till he comes to the nip
pie, on the north side of which is Solomon'S
great road
"'NOw, JIM l said, when you give this
TO yDur master, tell him he had better follow
the advice implicitly You are not to give it
to him now, because | don't want him back
asking me questions which | won't answer.
Now, be off, you idle fellow, the wagon is
nearly out of sight
Jim took the note and went, and that is
all know about your brother, Sir Henry;
but am much afraid"
Mr.. Qaatermain," said Sir Henry, 81 am
going to look for my brother; am going to
trace him to Suliman's Mountains, and over
them II necessary, till | lind him, or till |
know he is dead VIII you come with meT
am, as think | have said, cautious
man, indeed ready one, and | shrunk from
such an idea. 1t seemed TO me that TO start
on such a journey would be to go to certain
death, and putting other things aside as [
had son to support, | could not afford to
die just then.
No, thank you, Sir Henry, think ! had
rather not" | answered. II am too old for
wild-gOose chaSes of that sort, and we should
only end up like my poor friend Silvestre. /
have son dependent on me- 80 cannot af-
ford to risk my life"
Both Sir Henry and Captain Good looked
very disappointed.
MIR. Quatermain," said the former, 81
am well of, and am ben, upon this business
You may put the remuneration for your
services at whatever figure you like in rea-
son. and it shall be paid over to you before
we start. Moreover l will, before we start,
arrange that in the event of anything hap
pening to us or to you, that your son shall
be suitably provided for. You will see from
this how necessary think your presence.
Also, II by any chance we should reach this
place, and find diamonds, they shall belong
10 you and Good equally. | do not want
them. But of course the chance is as good
as nothing, though the same thing would
apply to any ivory we might get You may
pretty well make your own terms with me,
MIR. Quatemain; and of course l shall pay
all expenses"
Sir Henry" said l, this is the most lib
eral offer L ever had, and one not to be
sneeZed at by poor hunter and trader. But
the job is the biggest l ever came across,
and | must take time to think it over. |
Will give you my answer before we get to
Durham"
Very good" answered Sir Henry, and
then l said goodnight and turned in, and
dreamed about poor long-dead Silvestre and
the diamonds.